Andriy Lunin will replace Thibaut Courtois in the Real Madrid starting lineup when they host Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Real Madrid will be eager to keep pace with Barcelona atop La Liga when they welcome Atletico Madrid to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night. Alvaro Arbeloa has received a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Thibaut Courtois is the latest absentee after sustaining a hamstring injury in the UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester City earlier this week. The Belgian international accompanies Eder Militao (hamstring), Dani Ceballos (calf), and Rodrygo (knee) in the treatment room.
However, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, Raul Asencio, and Jude Bellingham may be in contention to take on Atletico Madrid this weekend. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Arbeloa provided fitness updates on Courtois, Mbappe, and Bellingham.
The Real Madrid head coach said, “Every time a player steps onto the pitch, there’s a risk. There are many things people don’t know, but very few players take the field at 100%, without discomfort or pain. It’s normal in competitive football. When halftime came, Courtois wanted to keep playing, but I decided to stop him also because of the utmost confidence I have in Lunin. He has already shown many times what a great goalkeeper he is. I am sure he will prove it again with this great opportunity.”
“I told you that the day he [Mbappe] returned, it would be because he was at 100%. He proved it in Manchester. The key is the sensations: how he felt and how he feels in training. Maximum confidence, maximum guarantees, and maximum excitement to have back such a decisive player as him.”
“I’ll tell you the same thing. He [Bellingham] is already available and will be in the squad tomorrow. We’ll see if he plays, but I think he will. He’s ready, and I can’t wait to see him on the pitch. From there, it’s normal for him to join his national team. He’s a very intelligent player and knows particularly well what to do at every moment and in the situation he is in. I’m very happy that he is available tomorrow and prepared to help us.
Andriy Lunin will replace Thibaut Courtois between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-3-1-2 formation in front of him against Atletico Madrid on Sunday. The backline will feature Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, and Alvaro Carreras.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Federico Valverde. Finally, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior will spearhead the home side’s attack against Atletico Madrid, with Arda Guler reprising the no. 10 role.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde; Guler; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
